Mr Duff was adamant all works would be completed in time for the match, likely to be in late March or early April in Round 3 or 5, with a due date for the new multi-purpose facility at the eastern end of the ground set for February.

The match will likely be held on a Saturday afternoon due to the floodlights at Marley Brown not being suitable for television coverage.

The GRL are planning a festival of football on the day and are looking to lure the CQ Capras as a curtain raiser.

However, not everyone is happy with the announcement with Member for Whitsunday, Jason Costigan blasting the Palaszczuk Government over its decision to overlook Mackay for an NRL match.

Whitsunday MP Jason CostiganContributed

Mr Costigan posted numerous times on his Facebook page regarding the decision.

"Great news for Gladstone but this is another case of the Palaszczuk Labor Government letting us down here in Mackay and the Whitsundays where we have successfully hosted NRL games in the past under the former LNP State Government," one post read.

"After all, our regional stadium, far superior to Gladstone's Marley Brown Oval, recently hosted Elton John in what was a huge success! Put simply, this isn't about tourism, bums on beds or growing the NRL... it's all about politics and pulling in votes, just before an election."